Tuesday, 18 October 2011

Himpunan Hijau 109

Himpunan Hijau 109 / Green Solidarity 109 / 109 绿色盛会

The moment has come ...the time is now! The people has spoken. Awaiting to be listened. Our future lies in the hands of the decision makers. After months of protest, Kuantan, a peaceful town in the east coast of Malaysia woke up to yet another limelight. The Earth Charter, a non profit organisation initiated a Himpunan Hijau 109’ . This is a platform for all citizen groups to come together and voice out their concerns.

Among the groups that took part were SMSL, BADAR, TNB High Tension Cables Protesters from Rawang, Bukit Koman Cyanide Protestors, Orang Asli Group and Cameron Highlands Group.

The crowd started to build up as early as 6.00am. Despite the morning drizzle and police road blocks, the people of Kuantan came in droves. Most of them wearing anti-Lynas t-shirts, caps, badges or whatever they can find with anti-Lynas message. Some even printed mini anti-Lynas’ flags. The atmosphere was incredible! People of all races and ages converged to Taman Gelora with one objective in mind. VIPs arrived as early as 6.15am. Notable ones include Datuk Ambiga Sreevanesan, Mr. Wong Tuck, Maria Chin Abdullah, Dr. Kua Kia Soong and Prof Tan Kah Keng .

Banners and placards were everywhere. The carnival like atmosphere was indescribable! This is the largest protest gathering Kuantan has seen!

Besides all the VIPs, other notable figures seen at the gathering were the Teruntum ADUN YB Chang Hong Seong and Kuantan MP YB Fuziah Salleh.

The build up towards this Himpunan Hijau has been an evenful one. The authorities shockingly revoked the permit of this gathering which was issued a few days earlier at the eleventh hour. Nevertheless, the gathering went on smoothly without any disturbance or chaos.

At 7.00am sharp, the thunderous drums beating from various ethnic groups welcome the sunrise. Follow by the hand stamping on the Himpunan Hijau scroll banners by VIPs and all participants from throughout the countries. Three participants from Klang rode on their bicycle for 3 days before arriving at Kuantan for this event. The event was widely covered by several foreign broadcasting medias. By 9.15am. police moved in to disperse the crowd after all groups involved voiced out their concerns. The crowd mingled around and most of them dispersed orderly and peacefully by 10.30 am.

To all those present , this will be an event to be remembered for a long long time.